HONOLULU (KHON) — Or possibly get a fine or probation. There are all sorts of things happening across the United States regarding privacy and drug laws.
So, KHON2.com did a bit of digging to find out what specific things in Hawaiʻi there are that is illegal for you to share with other people.
In Hawaiʻi, there are several items and types of information that are illegal to share or distribute with others.
Prescription drugs: It is illegal to share prescription drugs with someone for whom they were not prescribed. This includes any controlled substances, which can only be legally obtained through a prescription specifically issued to an individual by a licensed healthcare provider. Click here for more information.
Protected wildlife: Sharing or distributing parts of protected wildlife, including certain plants and animals that are native and endangered, is prohibited unless specifically permitted by law. This includes feathers, bones or any parts of endangered species. Click here for more information.
Confidential personal information: It is illegal to share someone else’s personal and confidential information without their consent. This includes social security numbers, credit card information, medical records and other private details. Click here for more information.
Homemade alcohol for commercial use: While it’s legal to brew beer or make wine at home for personal use, distributing it or selling it without a proper license is illegal. Click here for more information.
Driver’s license and ID information: Sharing or borrowing someone else’s driver’s license or state ID is illegal and considered identity fraud. This extends to using someone else’s identity documents for any purpose. Click here for more information.
Pirated or copyrighted material: Distributing copyrighted materials without permission, such as movies, music and software, is illegal. This includes sharing files electronically or copying DVDs and CDs. Click here for more information.
Cultural artifacts: It is illegal to take, share or export native Hawaiian cultural artifacts found on public lands without proper authorization. These items are protected to preserve the cultural heritage of Hawaiʻi. Click here for more information.
Firearms and ammunition: Sharing or transferring firearms and ammunition without adhering to proper legal procedures, including background checks and registration, is illegal. Hawaiʻi has strict gun laws that must be followed to ensure public safety. Click here for more information.
Invasive species: It is illegal to transport or share plants and animals that are considered invasive species in Hawaiʻi. This law helps prevent the spread of species that can damage the local ecosystem. Click here for more information.
Electronic eavesdropping devices: Distributing or using devices meant for surreptitious interception of communications, such as wiretaps or bugs, without consent is illegal. This protects individuals’ privacy rights. Click here for more information.
Lottery tickets and gambling items: Gambling is illegal in Hawaiʻi, and this includes sharing lottery tickets purchased in other states or gambling devices. Click here for more information.
Medical cannabis: It’s illegal to share medical cannabis with others, even if they are also registered patients. Each patient must obtain their cannabis from a licensed dispensary, and it must be used only by the registered patient to whom it is prescribed. Sharing or redistributing medical cannabis can lead to legal penalties, including fines and potential revocation of the medical cannabis card. Click here for more information.
Real estate documents: Sharing confidential real estate documents without consent can be illegal, especially if it involves personal financial information or non-public business details. Click here for more information.
Intellectual property: This includes proprietary business information, trade secrets, and other types of intellectual property. Sharing this without authorization can lead to legal issues related to breach of confidentiality agreements or intellectual property theft. Click here for more information.
Biometric data: Hawaiʻi has laws that protect biometric information such as fingerprints, retinal scans and facial recognition data. Sharing this data without proper authorization is prohibited. Click here for more information.
Voting ballots: It’s illegal to share or complete another person’s voting ballot, as this constitutes voter fraud. Click here for more information.
Marine resources: Certain marine resources, such as coral, live rock and certain species of fish, are protected under state and federal laws. It is illegal to collect, possess or distribute these resources without specific permits and adherence to regulations. Click here for more information.
As we know from the old saying, knowing is half the battle. So, now that you know, you can avoid these illegalities.